Venus to play in Fed Cup

Updated: 22 March 2007 06:37 IST

Venus Williams will play in the Fed Cup against Belgium.

Reported by Indo-Asian News Service

Read Time: 2 mins

Delray Beach:

Venus Williams will play in the Fed Cup against Belgium.
United States captain Zina Garrison announced on Monday that Williams committed to play in the first round on April 21-22 at Delray Beach Stadium and Tennis Center.
Williams is scheduled to return to competition for the Diamond Games from February 12-18 in Antwerp, Belgium.
"Venus is really looking forward to playing Fed Cup this year," Garrison said during a teleconference call.
Williams had missed the Australian Open due to a left wrist injury. "Venus contacted me around the end of November and said she was really interested in playing. She's excited about trying to bring the Cup back to the US."
Williams has a 13-3 Fed Cup record and helped the United States win the title over Russia in her Fed Cup debut in 1999. The US has won the Fed Cup 17 times, but not since 2000.
Garrison said she'd like to lure Serena Williams, who won her eighth Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, onto the Fed Cup roster.
"I have been in talks with Jill Smoller, Serena's agent, and been texting Serena about playing," Garrison said. "I think our being back in Delray Beach gives me a lot of edge since it's close to her home."
Garrison, who said Venus Williams was practicing full-time, will announce the rest of her roster later. She mentioned young players Vania King and Ashley Harkleroad as possibilities, along with doubles specialist Lisa Raymond.